Wheel chair robe



July 5, 1955 M. COLEMAN 2,712,133

WHEEL CHAIR ROBE Filed Sept. 22, 1953 INVENTOR. LILLYE MEHLINGER Couz Mm A 7' TOR/YE Y United States Patent WHEEL CHAIR ROBE Lillye Mehlinger Coleman, New York, N. Y.

Application September 22, 1953, Serial No. 381,640

1 Claim. (Cl. 2-69) This invention relates to a robe for the aged, the sick or for convalescent patients who are required to use a wheel chair in their movements from place to place, especially movements out of doors. It has been observed that no adequate means is available for protecting such persons against the rigors of inclement weather. Such patients or other persons have commonly been wrapped in coats or blankets, and while these serve well for the purposes for which originally intended, they do not adequately protect in the special situation where the user is restricted to a wheel chair. The feet, for example, are seldom well covered and kept as warm as they should be to safeguard the comfort and health of the patient.

Accordingly, the primary object of this invention is to provide a robe specifically for those who use wheel chairs and the robe is designed to afford a maximum of comfort and protection for such persons. Further objects and the details of the invention will be apparent from the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective front View of the robe with the lower half in partly open position.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the back.

Figure 3 is a central, vertical, sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 2.

The robe comprises a full length back of double thickness for the greater portion of its length, having suitable tie strings 11 disposed at the top portion and at suit able intervals along its length, by means of which it may be secured to the back of the wheel chair. Slightly below the lower half portion of the back, a series of Waistband loops 12 are provide to guide a strap 13 which may extend completely around the entire robe for fastening purposes. Below these loops and centrally disposed on that portion of the back which would normally lie adjacent the legs of the user, a pocket A is provided for the reception of a hot water bottle, heating pad or other objects.

On the front face of the robe, the upper portion h s an overlying double thickness cover portion 14, which has tie strings 11a secured to the side edges so as to correspond substantially in position with the similar tie strings on the back, to which they may be secured.

The lower half of the front face of the robe comprises a lap portion forming an envelope or bag 15 which is full and roomy at its upper portion and is gathered together to a more restricted size at its lower end where the feet would normally rest. The lap portion of the bag 16 is joined to the back by means of separable fasteners known as zippers 17, which extend along each side of the robe for substantially the full length of the bag. The upper portion of the front 16 may have loops 12a, through which the strap 13 may pass when it is desired to tie the unit closely together.

The double thickness of the back 10 and the overlapping front 14 allow for the insertion of performed padding such as foam rubber cushions or other appropriate material, or warm interlining in selected portions to further increase the comfort of the user. The back 10 and front 14 may be left open at the bottom for this purpose.

The envelope portion of the robe may be provided on its interior Walls with a removable interliner 18 of wool, flannel or other protective or warmth giving material, the liner being secured to the robe proper by means of appropriately positioned snap fasteners 19 of the ball and socket type, although other kinds of fasteners may be used. The upper edge of the interliner is left open for the insertion of a seat pad or a back pad, if desired.

In use, the robe may be placed over a wheel chair with the back 10 folding over the back, seat and leg portions of the chair, the front 14, if attached, being turned off to one side. The envelope portion is opened by moving the zipper down along one side, and the patient is seated or permitted to seat himself in the wheel chair in the normal manner. If the weather is chilly, the front 14 may be secured in position over the chest and lap of the wearer, and the envelope may be closed by operating the zipper. If the weather is mild, the front 14 may be left to one side and the envelope may be opened on both sides and left to lie on the lap or dropped to the foot rest of the chair, as desire and comfort may dictate.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a robe for Wheel chairs which is adapted to accommodate every physical need where comfort and health safeguarding are concerned.

I claim:.

A wheel chair robe comprising a full length back having leg, seat and body portions and an overlapping, removable, upper protective front portion, said front portion conforming substantially to the outline of said back body portion, and means for securing said portions together at the edges thereof; a protective front lap portiontion connected to a portion of the back along the sides thereof and extending over the leg and seat portions of the robe, said lap portion and upper front portion partially overlapping each other substantially at the waist line of the robe when in protective position, the lap portion being detachable along its side edges and forming an envelope with the back portion when attached thereto; the front, lap, seat and back portions having plural wall structures forming pockets for the reception of padding; an interliner detachably secured within said envelope; a belt supported by said back portion and adapted to tie together said upper front portion, lap portion and back portion substantially at the waistline.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 704,276 Sorensen July 8, 1902 886,907 Werle May 5, 1908 2,064,458 Bulpit et a1. Dec. 15, 1936 2,434,213 Kovary Jan. 6, 1948 2,521,020 Prescott Sept. 5, 1950 

